LATIN DANCE CDS

BOSSA NOVA STORY is a two-cd set of late 1950s and early 1960s Brazilian soft jazz/pop... well, yes and no: this isn't a reissue of oldies, but brand new versions using many of the artists who helped create the sound decades ago.

 Unfortunately not all of them are here, as many have passed on: especially missed was Tom Jobim, who wrote eight of the twenty-eight selections, and Luis Bonfa and Baden Powell, the giants of guitar.

 However, we do have Wanda Sa, Carlos Lyra, Perry Ribeiro, Luis Carlos Vinhas, Oscar Riocas and others recorded in a modern studio on equipment not available 45 or 50 years ago.

 The sound quality sets a new standard for Bossa: have tunes like 'Desafindo' and 'Manhade Carnaval' ever been recorded so well?

 Bossa Nova was heavily influenced by the soft jazz in the 'West Coast' school of jazz. Many of these American musicians in turn fell in love with Bossa Nova and began playing it.

 The jazz roots of the music are heard throughout BOSSA NOVA STORY, reminding the listener where the music comes from.

 Remember the jazz vocal group the Hi-Los? They may not be on BOSSA NOVA STORY, but their sound is cross-cultural fusion: borrowing has been going on for a long time, and BOSSA NOVA STORY gets back to the roots of the borrowing.

  Boogaloo was an energetic fusion of urban Latin sounds and soul r&b that occurred in New York City in the late 1960s to mid-1970s: it was also known as Latin Soul. Parts of or even entire songs might be played in 4/4 time with a Latin flavor added on top - or if the beat was not 4/4, an r&b flavor could be added over the Latin beat.

 Boogaloo soon crossed over to the general public; the younger members of which found it easier to relate to than the previous Puerto Rican and Cuban sounds. This very popularity, strangely enough, doomed the boogaloo, as many Latin New Yorkers deemed it not 'Latin enough', and a sellout to the mainstream: so sad, as anyone listening to the highly danceable compilation ROUGH GUIDE TO BOOGALOO can hear this is great music - totally American with roots in Africa, Cuba, and Puerto Rico.

 The great stars of Latin music of the 1960s are all here, including the incredible Fania All Stars, one of the few truly all-star bands of all time; and Joe Cuba, who may have been the king of Latin crossover at the time. Also you'll find Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Pete Rodriguez, Willi Colon, Ray Barretto, Bobby Valentin - all the artists you might expect would jump on the boogaloo bandwagon all here and cooking - but Charlie Palmeri? The jazziest Latin band leader of his generation was a big surprise to find.... but listen to his 'Boogaloo Mania', a surprisingly simple funky dance tune that will have you dancing - can you imagine McCoy Tyner playing something this catchy? No way!

 If you want danceable jazz with a Latin kick, check out Ray Barretto's take-off on 'A Whiter Shade of Pale', turned into 'A Deeper Shade of Soul', or the Gilberto Sextet's take on the Rascals hit 'Good Lovin'.